Sign



Sept. 30, 1930.

' M. SHERAS 1,776,955

SIGN

Filed Aug. 11, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 AA -f- Sept. 30, 1930.

SIGN

Filed Aug. 11, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 W WMW Patented Sept. 30, 1930MORRIS SHERAS, F MANISTEE, MICHIGAN SIGN Application filed August 11,1928. Serial No. 298,903.

This invention relates to a method of forming signs of high visibilityand permanencyand particularly relates to a method of painting ordecorating outdoor crossing or warning signs.

The object of the present invention is to provide a sign which issuitable for outdoor usage which will not decrease in brilliancy orvisibility upon weathering and which may be readily painted orredecorated in assembled or disassembled condition.

Another object of this invention is to provide a sign from an aluminumplate which is provided with raised figures of aluminum material and abackground or field of a black or some other strongly contrasting color.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved method ofpainting or decorating signs.

Other objects will appear during the course of the followingdescription.

The following drawings illustrate an embodiment of the invention, towhich the invention is by no means restricted.

Figure 1 represents an assembled sign showing the face plates inposition;

Figure 2 represents a rear view of one of the face plates;

Figure 3 represents a View of one of the painting masks; and

Figures 4 to illustrate the process of preparing the sign.

The assembled sign is shown upon Figure 1 and it contains a central poleprovided with a cap element 5 and a base element 6. Centrally positionedon this central pole may be one, two or more horizontal sign elements 7,two being shown. These elementsmay be positioned at varying angles toeach other by means of the cooperatin clamps 8 and the connectingelement 9. The clamps 8 are adapted to fit over the central pole andtheir side portions are adapted to contact and fit against the upper andlower middle outside faces of the sign elements 7. The lower part of thecentral pole is threaded so as to re ceive the base element 6 and thisbase element 6 when screwed in position acts to clamp the sign elementsinto any desired angular 50 inter-relationship. The sign elements mayalso be positioned at the desired angles to each other or be clampedinto position by other means than those shown. p

- The designatingfigures upon the sign elements are contained upon theface plates 10, one of which is shown in rear view, disassembled, uponFigure 2.

The face plate 10 is provided at its upper and lower horizontal sideswith the bent-over edges 11 and 12 which form the grooves or runways 13and 14. These bent-over edges and runways are utilized to assemble theface plate into the structure shown upon F igure 1. If desired, however,other means of assembling and attaching the face plate may be employed.The letters or figures are embossed on the face plate with the resultthat the depressed portions 15 are left at the rear of the face plate,while the raised or embossed portions 16 forming the letters or figuresare positioned on the front of the face plate (see Figures 5 and 6). Thedisplay or face plate 10 is preferably made of aluminum and of one pieceof metal, which is stamped into the desired shape.

Upon Figure 3 is shown one of the masks 17 which is adapted to fit overthe letters of the face plate when it is desired to paint or repaint theface plate disassembled by itself or assembled in the designatingdevice. The embossed or raised letters 16 should project a suflicientdistance beyond the surface of the face plate 10 so that they willretain the mask 17 during the painting operation. Upon Figure 1 areshown four masks 17 in position upon the embossed Figures 16 (see also Figures 7,8and 9). p

The masks are utilized and the face plates are prepared in the followingmanner: The sheet of metal 10 is first pressed to show the letters inrelief Figures 5 and 6), and the raised or embossed letters 16 arepolished. The field or the background is then sand blasted. The raisedportions are covered by masks such as 17 and the whole face 10,including the mask 17 is painted with an air brush 50 (see Figures 7, 8and 9). There will be no tendency for the mask 17' to fall off duringthis operation since the force of the paint applied by the air brush 50tends to hold the 100 mask in position. These face plates 10 may bepainted in this manner unass'embled, or when assembled in thedesignating device. All other parts of the designating device includingthe base 6, the connecting element 9 and the top of the pole are coatedwith a similar pigment. After the painting operation is completed themask 17 is removed (see Figure 10). The preferred paint is blacknitrocellulose lacquer such as Duco. By finishing,

the sign in this manner the letters or. numerals have a highly polished,natural aluminum finish which contrasts sharply with the black paintedfield. Upon weathering, the letters or figures of the aluminum faceplate take on a film or corrosion of silver grey color and still remainattractive and durable.

What is claimed is:

1. In the production of signs with metallic figures and backgrounds ofcontrasting color, providing a metal plate of light color, formingfigures therein of such shape and character as to be able to receive andretain'masks, positioning masks upon such figures, applying acontrasting color to masked metal plate and then removing the masks.

2. In the production of signs with aluminum colored figures and blackfields, providing an aluminum plate, pressing said plate so that thefigures will be in relief, polishing the portions in relief, coveringthe relief portions with masks, sand blasting the field, painting theWhole face including the masks with a black pigment by means of anairbrush and removing the masks.

3. In the production of signs with metal colored figures and backgroundsof contrasting color thereto, providing a metal plate hav ing or capableof acquiring upon weathering a ight or dark appearance, providingembossed figures on said plate of such size and depth as to enable themto receive and retain masks, polishing said embossed figures, placingmasks upon such figures and spray-painting the who-1e face including themasks with a contrasting color and removing the masks.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

MORRIS SHERAS.

